Riots show justice can be faster, say magistrates

Share via

Many of those involved in the disturbances were before the courts and sentenced within daysPeter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Frances GibbandRichard Ford

Last updated at 12:01AM, August 27 2011

Magistrates are calling for an overhaul of the courts to bring in swift, speedy justice drawing on lessons from the recent riots.

They want to capitalise on the success of processing more than 1,400 offenders within one to two weeks from charge to sentence — which saw many looters and rioters dealt with in a matter of days.

Justices of the Peace are also in favour of holding more court hearings on evenings and weekends, simplifying police paperwork to cut lengthy delays before trial and a doubling of their own sentencing powers, so they can jail offenders for up to 12